I am incredibly pleased with Pittsburgh's willingness to talk about financial concerns and scholarship negotiation. Their financial aid office (Meme, Charmaine) have been absolutely fantastic in dealing with me.

Placed my deposit yesterday; hoping to hear back on scholarship concern here in short time and make it work. I'm down to Pittsburgh and Minnesota, and while Minnesota may be the better option from a future financial point of view (lower stipulation, better hiring numbers), I'm hoping that Pitt blows me away so I can't say no... love the city, love the school, and would be more than pleased to make it my home for the next three (and hopefully more!) years.

They were really great negotiating with me scholarship wise as well. Everyone was pleasant, helpful, welcoming, and understanding of my financial concerns. I honestly was not terribly hopeful about Pitt looking at LSN scholarship amounts for the past few years, and their initial offer was on the low end. I was blown away by the increase they offered me, and I put my deposit in last Friday- I wouldn't mind at all staying in Pittsburgh long-term, and from what I've heard employment prospects locally are pretty decent coming out of Pitt. If I can qualify for in-state tuition for 2L and 3L... I'll be paying less for law school than I did to go to a state school for undergrad.

FYI Seat deposits were due Monday 4/1- not sure if they'll accept them late, but I'd call to find out. I am pretty sure they will allow you to charge a card over the phone to make your deposit.

Now I'm looking for an apartment obsessively.... Luckily I live only about 3 1/2 hrs away, so frequent day trips to explore are possible. If anyone can recommend a good rental company/landlord (preferably one that doesn't check credit- mine isn't so hot) please let me know! I'm looking in the Lawrenceville area right now, but I'm open to other options in the city. I just don't want to live in the woods somewhere- any advice would be appreciated! (feel free to PM me if you prefer)

mg1185 wrote:They were really great negotiating with me scholarship wise as well. Everyone was pleasant, helpful, welcoming, and understanding of my financial concerns. I honestly was not terribly hopeful about Pitt looking at LSN scholarship amounts for the past few years, and their initial offer was on the low end. I was blown away by the increase they offered me, and I put my deposit in last Friday- I wouldn't mind at all staying in Pittsburgh long-term, and from what I've heard employment prospects locally are pretty decent coming out of Pitt. If I can qualify for in-state tuition for 2L and 3L... I'll be paying less for law school than I did to go to a state school for undergrad.

FYI Seat deposits were due Monday 4/1- not sure if they'll accept them late, but I'd call to find out. I am pretty sure they will allow you to charge a card over the phone to make your deposit.

Now I'm looking for an apartment obsessively.... Luckily I live only about 3 1/2 hrs away, so frequent day trips to explore are possible. If anyone can recommend a good rental company/landlord (preferably one that doesn't check credit- mine isn't so hot) please let me know! I'm looking in the Lawrenceville area right now, but I'm open to other options in the city. I just don't want to live in the woods somewhere- any advice would be appreciated! (feel free to PM me if you prefer)

Walnut Capital is the best management company I've dealt with by far. I have JJ Land now and you may not read great things about them online but they have a lot of cheap apartments and I haven't had too many problems with them. They fix things when they say they will, which is all I care about. Franklin West is also supposed to be great but only if you can afford $$$.

Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)- I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

mg1185 wrote:Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)- I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

I'm not from Pittsburgh so I'm really only familiar with the neighborhoods near Oakland. You might want to get someone else's opinion on neighborhoods outside of that area. But from what I do know I'd say to definitely stay away from Wilkinsburg and probably Oakland. Oakland is a lot of undergrads and, from what I hear, a lot of slumlords, but if you want to be really close to the law school I guess it's not the worst area. I would say to check out Shadyside, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and Squirrel Hill. Shadyside, IMO, is the nicest area, but at the same time it's a target for car theft because it's a more affluent neigborhood. You're in a city so there's going to be crime everywhere you go. Nothing horrible that I've heard of, though.

If you're not averse to living a little way from everything (35 minute bus ride to campus), the apartment complex I'm in now is pretty cheap and has free garage parking included. PM if you'd like any other info on apartments/areas to look for.

mg1185 wrote:Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)- I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

I've lived in Regent Square for 5 years and I love it. It's a little less pricey than Shadyside or Squirrel Hill, it's got a great little business district and there's not a big problem with crime.Plus, the 61A or 61B bus lines will get you to the law shcool.

mg1185 wrote:Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)- I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

I'm not from Pittsburgh so I'm really only familiar with the neighborhoods near Oakland. You might want to get someone else's opinion on neighborhoods outside of that area. But from what I do know I'd say to definitely stay away from Wilkinsburg and probably Oakland. Oakland is a lot of undergrads and, from what I hear, a lot of slumlords, but if you want to be really close to the law school I guess it's not the worst area. I would say to check out Shadyside, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and Squirrel Hill. Shadyside, IMO, is the nicest area, but at the same time it's a target for car theft because it's a more affluent neigborhood. You're in a city so there's going to be crime everywhere you go. Nothing horrible that I've heard of, though.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, this definitely helps. These are actually some of the areas we've been looking at, particularly Lawrenceville, so I guess we're on the right track. Do you know anything about Regent Square? There's a rental company that has a lot of reasonably priced rentals there, but it is close to Wilkinsburg, so I'm on the fence about checking them out...

mg1185 wrote:Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)- I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

I've lived in Regent Square for 5 years and I love it. It's a little less pricey than Shadyside or Squirrel Hill, it's got a great little business district and there's not a big problem with crime.Plus, the 61A or 61B bus lines will get you to the law shcool.

I posted asking about Regent Square before I saw your post- so maybe it's meant to be! hahaAny landlords or rental companies in Regent Square you would recommend?

mg1185 wrote:Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)- I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

I've lived in Regent Square for 5 years and I love it. It's a little less pricey than Shadyside or Squirrel Hill, it's got a great little business district and there's not a big problem with crime.Plus, the 61A or 61B bus lines will get you to the law shcool.

I posted asking about Regent Square before I saw your post- so maybe it's meant to be! hahaAny landlords or rental companies in Regent Square you would recommend?

The only thing I know about Regent Square is that there's an awesome breakfast place called Square Cafe. Otherwise, I'm clueless.

thereelfeels wrote:I've heard good things about Friendship. Any thoughts from current students? Planning on sending my deposit as I ride out waitlists at some other schools.

I live there now and love it. It's close enough to Shadyside that I can walk to all the bars and restaurants but far enough that I don't pay Shadyside rent. It's really close to all the bus lines and grocery stores. I highly recommend it.

thereelfeels wrote:I've heard good things about Friendship. Any thoughts from current students? Planning on sending my deposit as I ride out waitlists at some other schools.

I live there now and love it. It's close enough to Shadyside that I can walk to all the bars and restaurants but far enough that I don't pay Shadyside rent. It's really close to all the bus lines and grocery stores. I highly recommend it.

Any recommendations for landlords or rental companies in Friendship? Looks like most that are listed on craigslist are Forbes, and they don't allow dogs...

I am also attending in the fall and am in desperate search of an apartment. If anyone, current students or other newcomers looking for housing, can offer any advice on locations, or landlords it would be very much appreciated.

Hey, I just finished my 1L at Pitt. Word of advice for housing. Do not rent from Lobos or Mozart, they are horrible. I didn't but I heard some crazy stories. If you can live in Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, or North Oakland. South side isn't bad either. I am living there next year and its cheap as shit. You ride the bus for free so getting to and from the law school from any of these places isn't a problem. Shadyside and Squirrel Hill are a little more expensive in terms of rent. If you find a place on Centre Ave and Millvale Ave or around that area, you will be close enough to walk to the school if you want, but far enough from where the undergrads live so if you want some quiet, you can get it. Thats where I lived last year and rent was pretty good, studio apartment for $675 with utilities and included. If you have any questions let me know.

For those who are matriculating at Pitt Law this upcoming year, I just got an email from Pitt Law saying that they've reconsidered my scholarship from $16k/yr. to $30k/yr. I withdrew my application back in March. Might help to know that they still have a bunch of scholarship money for those who still want to negotiate their scholarship.

mg1185 wrote:Thanks so much, I'll check them out! Any areas you would recommend staying out of (unsafe neighborhoods?)-I'm not looking for suburban safety, unlocked doors, and kids playing in the street- but I'd rather not have to deal with drughouses and burglaries. We spent quite a few years in that kind of neighborhood in Buffalo, and I'd rather not have to do that again.

I'm not from Pittsburgh so I'm really only familiar with the neighborhoods near Oakland. You might want to get someone else's opinion on neighborhoods outside of that area. But from what I do know I'd say to definitely stay away from Wilkinsburg and probably Oakland. Oakland is a lot of undergrads and, from what I hear, a lot of slumlords, but if you want to be really close to the law school I guess it's not the worst area. I would say to check out Shadyside, Lawrenceville, Bloomfield and Squirrel Hill. Shadyside, IMO, is the nicest area, but at the same time it's a target for car theft because it's a more affluent neigborhood. You're in a city so there's going to be crime everywhere you go. Nothing horrible that I've heard of, though.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, this definitely helps. These are actually some of the areas we've been looking at, particularly Lawrenceville, so I guess we're on the right track. Do you know anything about Regent Square? There's a rental company that has a lot of reasonably priced rentals there, but it is close to Wilkinsburg, so I'm on the fence about checking them out...

Pittsburgh lifer here, and I think Lawrenceville is incredibly overpriced, and has high crime rates and a lot of drugs. People ask way too much for apartments there because its a "trendy" hipster neighborhood. It's a bad area to live in IMO. I've worked there and my mom has for the last decade, and I wouldn't never live there, nor would my parents be happy if that's where I moved.

Highland park is better because its way cheaper and slightly safer. Friendship is okay. Bloomfield is solid and reasonable. Places like aspinwall and blawnox are like Lawrenceville and highland park price wise, but much safer and much more white, if that's something you want.

Squirell hill and shady side are over priced because students think it's nicer than it really is. Oakland is shitty and over run by drunken under grads, but it's super heap. You can get a place for under $300 a month.

I'm living in Harmarville/cheswick/fox chapel area, which is like 25 minutes away via car and is a quiet place to live, cheap, and around a bunch of nice and cheap places to eat and drink. I'm down to car pool with anyone near the area.

If you plan to drive, check out springdale, harmar, cheswick, fox chapel, aspinwall, blawnox, and west deer. Yeah you get a free bus pass, but the busses get super jammed during commuting times and run late. For instance, the 71b can just skip for an hour and there's no way of knowing if it is going to be an hour late. Like the one that comes around 430 will just not come until 530 randomly. It's nice to take the bus though, but it's not always pleasent.

I work in Oakland so driving is my best option. So if anyone lives on my way to Oakland I would be up for car pooling or working out an arrangement to pay for parking and gas.

If people have questions about the city, hmu on this site. I've lived here my whole life except for undergrad. I went through half a semester last yr and re enrolled this semester.